Betrayed: Turn to Embrace for Love

Boyfriend Brendan had a huge argument with me over his childhood sweetheart.

Three months later, he showed up at my door.

"Kacie, it's been three months. Do you realize your mistake now?

I'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again..."

Me?

Behind the door, I was passionately kissing his cousin in the entryway.

After three days of cold war, I had silently agreed to break up.

Who says a man can't hold a grudge?

I had agreed to be with Brendan because he resembled his cousin.

Now that my idealized past love had returned from abroad, who would still want a stand-in?

1

"Kacie, are you home?"

Brendan knocked on the door. It was the first time we had fought, and also the first time he sought reconciliation.

Although Brendan had pursued me, he had always been the one in control of our relationship.

My temperament was mild, and unless something hurt my pride, I would never get angry easily.

"Kacie, it's been three months. I'll forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again..."

Brendan's words made me burst into laughter.

Evan, who was kissing me tenderly, was not pleased.

He lifted my chin with one hand, his dark eyes beneath the gold-rimmed glasses were terrifyingly deep.

"Kacie... focus..." he said, and before the smile could fade from my lips, he took off his glasses and kissed me again with concentration.

Evan was someone who took everything seriously.

As I drowned in Evan's tenderness, I listened to Brendan's rambling outside the door.

Evan frowned slightly, released me from his almost suffocating embrace, and glanced towards the door.

"He's too noisy... I'll go explain to him..."

"No... don't go..." I stopped him, slightly breathless.

I didn't want to argue over such a trivial matter late at night.

"Alright... I'll listen to you..." Evan said as he lifted me in his arms and carried me to the bedroom.

At the door, Brendan, thinking I wasn't home, called his childhood friend Jeffry.

"Hey, didn't you say Kacie was home?

Why is no one answering?"

Jeffry was also puzzled. Just half an hour ago, he had seen her return to Rosewood Terrace with his own eyes. How could she not be home?

Unable to get a clear answer, Brendan impatiently hung up the phone.

He thought for a moment, opened his phone's blacklist, pulled out a familiar number, and pressed dial.

"The number you have dialed is not answering..."

Brendan felt a surge of irritation and an inexplicable sense of unease.

He called the elevator and began calling mutual friends to inquire about my whereabouts.

Brendan hadn't heard the faint ringtone in the living room, perhaps muffled by the scattered clothes.

"Haven't yet turned the memories into lingering wounds..."

"Then sharing together will make it clearer..."

"The sorrow of longing..."

2

When I was twenty, I met Brendan at the same university.

His pursuit of me was grand and well-known throughout the campus.

On my birthday, he organized a lavish display of flowers for the celebration.

He lit heart-shaped candles under the dormitory building.

Every day, without fail, he would bring a bouquet of roses, and various luxury gifts piled up on my dorm room desk.

Looking at Brendan's sincere face, I saw the shadow of that 18-year-old boy.

I gave in and accepted his proposal.

I am both devoted and selfish.

During graduation season, I was busy sending out resumes and working on my thesis. Brendan had a family business, and his future was already arranged.

He had once suggested I join his company, but I refused.

I always kept things clear, whether it was relationships or work.

Until one day, I received an offer from a fashion company I admired.

I was so happy that I wanted to call Brendan to share the good news, but I couldn't reach him.

I went to the club where he and his friends often gathered.

The door was ajar, and as I pushed it open a crack, I froze.

Inside, Brendan had a girl sitting on his lap, and they were feeding each other drinks.

When their glasses were empty, his friends cheered them on.

"Brendan, you and Millie must be hiding something from us!

You two are a perfect match!"

"Yeah, just dump Kacie and marry Millie already!"

The girl in his arms stood up and playfully said, "Don't talk nonsense, it's just a dare. Brendan and I are close friends!"

Brendan lit a cigarette and laughed nonchalantly, "What?

Do you like my girlfriend?

Are you trying to steal her from me?"

Outside the door, I felt like a toy being passed around among these wealthy heirs.

"Who would dare!

But Kacie is truly beautiful, her figure is mesmerizing!"

Through the hazy smoke, Brendan's expression was unclear, and he replied indifferently, "Alright!

When I'm tired of her, you guys can go after her, as long as you don't mind."

My right hand clenched the doorknob, knuckles turning white, and I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Brendan, you're a jerk!"

I stood in front of him, my neck stiff with anger. A flash of panic crossed his face, but he quickly frowned.

"What are you doing here..."

Before he could finish, I splashed a glass of wine at him.

Millie, quick on her feet, stepped in to block it.

The amber liquid soaked her white dress, revealing the lingerie underneath.

I intended to splash Brendan, not expecting Millie to shield him.

The room erupted in gasps, and Brendan stood up, hurriedly grabbing tissues to help her wipe off, then draped his suit jacket over her.

"Kacie, are you crazy?"

Brendan's brows were full of anger as he pushed me.

I hit the wall hard, the pain in my back bringing me to my senses.

All eyes in the room were on me, mocking and looking down on me.

I finally woke up from the dream I had woven.

Brendan was not him, and he never could be.

I straightened my back and stood in front of him, "Brendan, we're breaking up!

You're free now!"

Then I turned and left.

I knew Brendan wouldn't come after me.

His pride wouldn't allow it, and my pride wouldn't let me endure such humiliation again.

He had initiated this relationship, and I always felt I had to accommodate him more for it to be fair.

In our two years of dating, I never argued with him. When conflicts arose, I would try to go along with his choices.

He even sometimes said, "Kacie, you're too good, almost unreal."

Because I harbored a secret, I felt I had to treat him better.

In the end, he never took me seriously.

It was a mistake from the start; I shouldn't have had ulterior motives.

Perhaps this situation is the universe's way of punishing me.

It doesn't matter anymore; time will set everything right.

3

After the graduation ceremony, I bid farewell to my roommates and embarked on a solo graduation trip to Copruoca.

My new job was set to start in two weeks, so I meticulously planned a getaway to scenic spots to unwind.

Initially, I considered booking a homestay, but for safety reasons, I begrudgingly booked a five-star hotel.

The tranquil ancient town was a balm for the soul. With a small bag slung over my shoulder, I wandered freely among the flowing streams, small bridges, and traditional pavilions.

As if guided by fate, I found myself entering a book café, carefully selecting a book from the shelf.

A large hand reached for the same book at the same time.

Turning my head, I was met with a somewhat familiar face.

It was Evan, Brendan's cousin.

A sudden flutter in my heart left me speechless, and I reflexively pulled back my hand.

His voice was polite and gentle, "Do you want this book?"

It seemed Evan didn't recognize me. We had met once at Brendan's birthday party.

Avoiding his gaze, I stammered, "Uh... I'm just browsing. If you like it, you can take it..."

Before Evan could say anything, I hurried out of the bookstore.

He was Brendan's cousin, and since Brendan and I had broken up, I wanted to avoid any unnecessary complications.

But my worries were entirely unfounded.

The next day, Tailored Perfection called to inform me that the suit was ready.

It was supposed to be Brendan's birthday gift, custom-made to his measurements.

It wouldn't fit anyone else, and it seemed a waste to throw it away.

I messaged Brendan to pick it up, only to find out he had blocked me.

I was speechless.

According to my itinerary, I planned to go horseback riding during the day and experience the nightlife of the ancient town at a bar in the evening.

As I pressed the hotel elevator button, I was engrossed in the route mapped out in my notebook.

When the elevator doors opened, there stood Evan.

I was momentarily stunned, and he held the door for me, "Aren't you coming in?"

He was dressed in a sharp suit, with gold-rimmed glasses. I stole glances at his handsome profile in the elevator.

He seemed busy with work; his assistant was waiting at the entrance, and a black Maybach sped away.

I hadn't expected Evan to be staying at the same hotel. Was this a trivial coincidence?

Perhaps not.

That evening, I saw Evan again at a bar in the ancient town.

He was dressed casually in a black hoodie and sweatpants, looking relaxed and laid-back, drinking with friends.

I found a small corner to sit in, a spot where I could easily see him.

I ordered two pretty cocktails, listening to the live folk singer perform folk songs, and occasionally sneaking glances at the handsome guy.

The delightful atmosphere quickly got to my head.

When I looked up again, his face was gradually getting closer until he was right in front of me.

"Kacie, are you spying on me?"

Evan's voice was pleasant, becoming husky and magnetic after a few drinks.

"Evan, you recognize me?"

I was a bit tipsy, but still coherent.

He lowered his head, chuckling softly, his long fingers playing with my glass.

"Yes, at the bookstore. You ran off like you'd seen a ghost before I could say hello..."

So, he had recognized me all along, and I had foolishly tried to escape.

My heart was wrapped in a sweet warmth, mixed with the alcohol, making me feel a bit dizzy.

Evan's eyes were beautiful, sparkling like stars.

He was still talking, but I couldn't hear him anymore.

Gathering my courage, I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.

He was stunned but not angry.

I rested my chin on my hand, grinning at him, and he smiled back.

I thought I could apologize tomorrow and blame it all on the alcohol.

Unexpectedly, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Want to go back to the hotel together?"

His voice was soft, yet it resonated powerfully in my ears.

4

I have a secret: I like Evan, who was 18 at the time.

In my senior year of high school, I wrote him a love letter. I never got a response, and then he transferred schools.

I had no way to contact him and didn't know where he had gone.

This teenage crush was hidden for four years until I saw him again at Brendan's birthday party.

He wore a bl